The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has prepared links and resource lists for dealing with the impact of Hurricane Irma. Topics include the impact of citrus and other crops, how to safeguard livestock, and what UF/IFAS Extension offices across the state are doing to help residents. Please click here for access to releases, closings and resources.
Here are experts you may contact during and after Hurricane Irma regarding the storm’s agricultural impacts. If you want to reach any of these experts by phone, please contact:
- Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu, 505-803-0069.
- Beverly James, beverlymjames@ufl.edu, 386-279-2831.
- Ruth Borger, rborger@ufl.edu, 517-803-7631.
- Samantha Grenrock, grenrosa@ufl.edu; 949-735-1076.
CITRUS: Michael Rogers, entomology professor, and center director, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. As center director, he can provide a broad perspective on how Irma may impact citrus. He can also speak on how UF/IFAS will help the citrus industry recover. mrgrs@ufl.edu.
EVERGLADES CROPS: Gregg Nuessly, entomology professor, and center director, Everglades Research and Education Center, in Belle Glade. With a huge swath of agricultural land in Palm Beach County, Nuessly can help with a look at the impacts of, and recovery from, the storm. Sugarcane is a huge industry in this area. gnuessly@ufl.edu.
REPAIRING LAWNS/TREE CARE – Mike Orfanedes, commercial horticulture agent at the UF/IFAS Extension Broward County office. The storm is likely going to tear down trees and make lawns a mess. Orfanedes can tell you ways to tend to your lawn and trees after the storm. morfanedes@broward.org
EXTENSION – Nick Place, Dean of UF/IFAS Extension and director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Place can answer questions about how Extension faculty around Florida can and will help Floridians after the storm. nplace@ufl.edu
FACILITIES – Jeanna Mastrodicasa, associate vice president of UF/IFAS. Mastrodicasa can help with overall information about UF/IFAS facilities statewide. UF/IFAS has research and education centers around the state, from near Pensacola to Homestead. jmastro@ufl.edu
IMPACTS TO SOUTH FLORIDA – Robin Giblin-Davis, professor of entomology and nematology, and acting center director for the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. giblin@ufl.edu; Edward “Gilly” Evans, a professor of food and resource economics, and interim director of the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead. eaevans@ufl.edu. Giblin-Davis and Evans can explain Irma’s impacts on South Florida agriculture.
IMPACTS TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA – Calvin Arnold, center director at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. Arnold can explain storm impacts in Southwest Florida – including damage to citrus and tomatoes, among other major crops there — and how UF/IFAS can help growers recover. cearnold@ufl.edu.
Share this Post